Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia is ready to cooperate with Donald Trump Administration, hopes to join efforts with the United States in the fight against international terrorism, in particular in Syria. “Russia is ready to cooperate with the new US Administration, it is important to normalize and develop bilateral relations on an equal and mutually beneficial basis. Cooperation between Russia and the United States in addressing global and regional issues is in the interest of the whole world. We share responsibility for ensuring international security and stability,” Putin said in his annual Federal Assembly address, Sputnik reported. He added that attempts to break the strategic parity was extremely dangerous and could lead to a global catastrophe. Putin also expressed hope to join efforts with the United States in fighting against global terrorism, in particular in Syria. “We hope to join efforts with the United States in the struggle against real, and not imaginary threat,” Putin said.

In his annual address to the nation, Russian President Vladimir Putin struck an unusually conciliatory tone on Thursday, saying Moscow wanted to get on with the incoming U.S. administration and was looking to make friends not enemies: “We are ready to cooperate with the new U.S. administration. We have a shared responsibility to ensure international security.”

“We don’t want confrontation with anyone. We don’t need it. We are not seeking and have never sought enemies. We need friends,” Putin told Russia’s political elite gathered in the Kremlin’s grand hall.

This year’s speech is a marked contrast to prior addresses, in which Putin lashed out at the West and the United States in particular. He did however note that any U.S.-Russia co-operation would have to be mutually beneficial and even-handed. Shortly after Trump’s victory, Putin said the President-elect may help restore tattered U.S.-Russia relations, and analysts said he was unlikely to want to dial up anti-Western rhetoric before Trump’s inauguration in January.

Putin also said he was hoping to find common ground with Washington on fighting global terrorism, a reference to Syria where Moscow is backing President Bashar al-Assad, while the outgoing U.S. administration has supported anti-Assad rebels. Russia hopes Trump will give Russia a freer hand there and cooperate militarily to fight Islamic State.

“We hope to unite our forces with the United States in the fight against the real threat, not the fictional one – international terrorism,” he said. The president also emphasized the need “to strengthen non-proliferation regimes,” noting that “attempts to upset the strategic balance are extremely dangerous and could lead to a global catastrophe.”

The tide has now turned in the Syrian conflict in favor of Putin’s ally, President Bashar al-Assad, whose grip on the Middle East country is increasing as Trump seems set to cut back support for rebel groups and focus U.S. efforts on fighting Islamic State.

The Russian leader also expressed hope of a better relationship with European countries. “Unlike some of our foreign colleagues, who see Russia as an opponent, we aren’t looking for enemies and never have done, we need friends,” Putin said, however he added that “we will not allow any infringement on the interests of the Russian Federation and we will manage our own destiny without tips and unsolicited advice.”…………….